Gov. Jay Nixon proposes $10M for Mo. mental health

JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) - Missouri Gov. Jay Nixon is proposing to spend $10 million to help get mental health care sooner to those who need it.

The funding is part of the state budget proposed by Nixon this past week.

The biggest share would be for an emergency room diversion project through the Department of Mental Health. Teams could respond quickly and begin working with a patient when an emergency room requests assistance. The Department of Mental Health estimates 1,100 people per year could be assisted through emergency room diversion.

Officials would seek to launch the project at seven hospitals throughout the state.

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